The highest temperature ever recorded in Australia was at Cloncurry, in Central Queensland, north of Mt Isa which registered 53°C in 1889

The coldest place in Australia Charlotte Pass, in the snowfields near Mount Kosciuszko, recorded minus 23°C in 1994.

CLIMATE

Australia is in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are opposite to those in Europe and North America.
There are two climatic zones: the tropical zone (in the north above the Tropic of Capricorn) and the temperate zone.
The tropical zone (consisting of 40% of Australia) has two seasons, summer ('wet')
and winter ('dry') while the temperate zone has all four seasons.

Although the climate of Australia varies from tropical to (monsoonal) in the north to cool temperate in Tasmania, the majority of the country is hot and dry; the sea exerts little moderating influence beyond the coast, and the highland area is too small and low to have more than local effect. More than two-thirds of continental Australia, in the west and centre, receives less than 500 mm (20 in) of rain a year, and one-third is desert with less than 250 mm (10 in) of rain annually. Only 10 per cent of the land, in the north, along the east and south-western coasts, and in Tasmania receives more than 1,000 mm (40 in) of rain a year. The tropical northern coastal region has two main seasons: a hot, wet season with summer rains falling mainly in February and March, when the north-western monsoons prevail; and a warm dry winter season characterized by the prevalence of south-easterly trade winds. The monsoon reaches inland for varying distances, extending furthest in Arnhem Land and the Cape York Peninsula. Many points on the northern and north-eastern coast have an average annual rainfall of 1,524 mm (60 in); in northern Queensland, around Cairns, average annual rainfall exceeds 2,540 mm (100 in). On the fringe of the monsoonal region there are drier savanna grasslands, where low, unreliable rainfall is supplemented by artesian water. In western, central, and northern Australia average summer temperatures range between 26.7° and 29.4° C (80° and 85° F), but can frequently exceed 38° C (100° F).

The warm, temperate regions of the southern coast of continental Australia have four seasons, with cool winters and hot summers. January and February are the hottest months, with average temperatures varying between 18.3° and 21.1° C (65° and 70° F). June and July are the coldest months, with an average July temperature of about 10° C (about 50° F), except in the Australian Alps, where temperatures of 1.7° C (35° F) occur; snowfields exist in the Mount Kosciusko area. The eastern coastal lowlands receive rain in all seasons, although mainly in summer. The warm, temperate western and southern coasts receive rain mainly in the winter months, usually from prevailing westerly winds. Tasmania, lying in the cool temperate zone, receives heavy rainfall from the prevailing westerly winds in summer and from cyclonic storms in winter. In addition to the Australian Alps in southern New South Wales, snow also falls during the winter in the northern part of Victoria, in Tasmania. All of the southern states are exposed to hot, dry winds from the interior, which can suddenly raise the temperature considerably. In most years, drought affects some part of Australia, and localized floods and tropical cyclones are common. South-eastern Australia, including Tasmania, has the highest incidence of bushfires in the world, along with California in the United States and Mediterranean Europe. In 1994 bushfires swept through New South Wales, destroying hundreds of homes in suburban Sydney.

November-March (spring-summer): Warm or hot everywhere, tropical in the north, and warm to hot with mild nights in the south.

April-September (autumn-winter): Northern and central Australia have clear warm days, cool nights; the south has cool days with occasional rain but still plenty of sun. Snow is totally confined to mountainous regions of the southeast.

Some advice for different states:
1. Queensland
Queensland enjoys long hot summers and generally mild winters. There are huge variations throughout the state. The things to keep in mind when packing are:

• the coast is subject to heavy rains during the summer months.
• in summer sunny days have a very high UV factor and are capable of seriously burning the skin.
• summer along the Queensland coast is characterised by very high humidity.
• inland Queensland experiences continentality - ie. very hot, dry days and nights when the temperature can drop below zero.
• although a predominantly tropical state there are areas of Queensland (particularly around Stanthorpe) where the temperature can be extremely cold.

People dress, informally, though Œsmart casual¹ wear is often required after dark at theatres and the more sophisticated hotels and restaurants. Beach wear is acceptable only on the beach and in pubs and fast food outlets; casual clothing is customary in most places.

For summer months (October to April) pack lightweight garments and a hat. The entire Queensland coast commonly experiences summer rains. Bring an umbrella. In winter, usually a lightweight overcoat and woollen garments are required. Remember warmer clothes are required if going inland.

2. New South Wales
New South Wales ranges widely in its temperature range. In summer the north coast can experience tropical conditions (very hot and sticky) and the inland can experience temperatures which commonly exceed 100°F or 40°C. In winter the north coast can remain mild and warm while the area around the Snowy Mountains and through the New England ranges can commonly experience snow and sub-zero frosty temperatures.

There are huge variations throughout the state. The things to keep in mind when packing are:

• the coast is subject to heavy rains during the summer months. The idea that New South Wales enjoys long hot summers is not entirely true. The days are hot but they can also be rainy and, particularly around Sydney, there is a phenomenon known as the Œsoutherly buster¹ which sees the temperature drop dramatically as a cold front rushes up the coast.
• in summer sunny days have a very high UV factor and are capable of seriously burning the skin.
• summer along the NSW coast north of Newcastle is characterised by high humidity.
• inland NSW experiences continentality - ie. hot, dry days and nights when the temperature can drop below zero. It is rare in summer for the night time temperatures to drop dramatically.
• there are areas of NSW where the temperature can be extremely cold.

People dress, informally, though Œsmart casual¹ wear is often required after dark at theatres and the more sophisticated hotels and restaurants. Beach wear is acceptable only on the beach and in pubs and fast food outlets; casual clothing is customary in most places.

For summer months (October to April) pack lightweight garments and a hat. The coast commonly experiences summer rains. Bring an umbrella. In winter, usually a lightweight overcoat and woollen garments are required. Remember warmer clothes are required if going inland.

3. Victoria
Victoria enjoys a cooler climate than either NSW or Queensland although it is true that the summer months can be very hot and the winters are generally mild. The critical difference can probably be summed up by the joke that Melbourne can experience four seasons in one day¹.

It is also important to remember that Melbourne is quite cold in winter. The things to keep in mind when packing are:

• the summer months can see a mixture of very warm and quite cold weather.
• in summer sunny days have a very high UV factor and are capable of seriously burning the skin.
• In winter, pack for winter. It is necessary to have warm clothing and raincoats and umbrellas.

Historically Melbourne is seen as being a more formal city than Sydney or Brisbane but this has changed in recent times. Often the weather will determine what people wear. It is true that people dress informally, though Œsmart casual¹ wear is often required after dark at theatres and the more sophisticated hotels and restaurants.

For summer months (October to April) pack lightweight garments and a hat but be prepared for the weather get become both wet and cold.

4. Tasmania
Tasmania is quite unlike the rest of Australia. It is wet, where the rest of Australia is dry. It is small and intimate; the rest is broad and open. It is very European; the rest looks more like Africa or South America.

In winter Tasmania experiences cold and snowy conditions as the winds bring cold air up from Antarctica. This is a time when extreme care must be taken by people planning to go walking as a beautiful day can quickly change into a day of sleet and snow.

The summer months are usually mild and it is common to experience long periods of bright sunny days. Particularly impressive are both autumn and spring which have a northern European feeling of seasonal change.

For summer months (October to April) pack lightweight garments and a hat but make sure you have warm clothes as the winds and rains can change the weather conditions very rapidly.

5. South Australia
South Australia enjoys long hot summers and generally mild, wet winters. In this sense it has a classic Mediterranean climate. The summers are typically very dry and it is common to experience short, sharp bursts of intense heat when the temperature soars over 40°C. Under such circumstances it is hardly surprising that people around Adelaide head for the coast, or the banks of the Murray River, on the weekends:

• the coast is hugely popular during the summer months.
• in summer sunny days have a very high UV factor and are capable of seriously burning the skin.
• summer throughout South Australia is characterised by very low rainfall and dry, hot days.
• inland South Australia experiences continentality - ie. very hot, dry days and nights when the temperature can drop below zero. This happens in winter. In summer the days can be so hot that the nights don¹t really offer much relief. It is a comment on the intensity of the weather conditions that people at Andamooka and Coober Pedy have decided to live underground.

People dress, informally, though smart casual wear is often required after dark at theatres and the more sophisticated hotels and restaurants. Beach wear is acceptable only on the beach and in pubs and fast food outlets; casual clothing is customary in most places.

For summer months (October to April) pack lightweight garments and a hat. Bring an umbrella. In winter, usually a lightweight overcoat and woollen garments are required. Remember warmer clothes are required if going inland.

6. Western Australia
Western Australia enjoys long hot summers and generally mild, wet winters. In this sense it has a classic Mediterranean climate. The summers are typically very dry and it is common to experience short, sharp bursts of intense heat when the temperature soars over 40°C.:

• the coast is hugely popular during the summer months.
• in summer sunny days have a very high UV factor and are capable of seriously burning the skin.
• summer throughout Western Australia is characterised by very low rainfall and dry, hot days.
• inland Western Australia experiences continentality - ie. very hot, dry days and nights when the temperature can drop below zero. This happens in winter. In summer the days can be so hot that the nights don¹t really offer much relief. It is a comment on the intensity of the weather that Marble Bar is recognised as one of the hottest places on earth.
• the far north coast experiences cyclones in the summer months and the Kimberley is intensely humid during the Œwet¹ season which starts in October and lasts through the summer months.

People dress, informally, though smart casual wear is often required after dark at theatres and the more sophisticated hotels and restaurants. Beach wear is acceptable only on the beach and in pubs and fast food outlets; casual clothing is customary in most places.

For summer months (October to April) pack lightweight garments and a hat. Remember warmer clothes are required if going inland.

7. Northern Territory
Northern Territory enjoys long hot summers and generally mild winters. The things to keep in mind when packing are:

• the north (south to at least Katherine) is subject to heavy rains during the summer months.
• in summer sunny days have a very high UV factor and are capable of seriously burning the skin.
• summer is characterised by very high humidity in the north.
• inland Northern Territory (particularly around Alice Springs and Uluru) experiences continentality - ie. very hot, dry days and nights when the temperature can drop below zero.

People dress, informally, though smart casual wear is often required after dark at theatres and the more sophisticated hotels and restaurants. Beach wear is acceptable only on the beach and in pubs and fast food outlets; casual clothing is customary in most places.

For summer months (October to April) pack lightweight garments and a hat. In winter, usually a lightweight overcoat and woollen garments are required. Remember warmer clothes are required in the centre.

For historical weather data see:  http://www.wunderground.com/global/

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